Car Hire in Croatia

Why hire a car in Croatia?

With a diverse landscape, stunning nature, fascinating cities, small distances, and a host of interesting neighbors, Croatia is one of the true up-and-coming travel destinations of Europe.

If you want to know more about hiring a car in Croatia, don't miss our complete guide.

Top ways to enter Croatia

• Split Airport: Located in the south of the country, Split Airport hosts flights to and from most European countries and is the best entry point to reach the beaches and islands of Dalmatia.
• Zagreb Airport: Croatia’s largest international airport serving the nation’s capital and the country’s north.
• Dubrovnik Airport: Another Dalmatian airport, located on the very southeastern point of Croatia.
• By land: It’s possible to hire a car in a nearby country and then drive to Croatia. Some large international airports near Croatia include Budapest Airport in Hungary, Vienna Airport in Austria, and Venice Airport in Italy. It should be noted, however, that different visa requirements may be in place for citizens of different countries, so contact your embassy in advance to find out about any international borders you would like to cross. Also, ask your car provider in advance if they permit it.
• By ferry: There is a regular ferry service between various port cities in Croatia and Bari and Ancona in Italy. Bringing the car you've hired on a ferry may or may not be possible depending on the terms of ferry company, so make sure to check first.

Top cities and places to visit

• Dubrovnik. Located in the far south of the country, Dubrovnik is one of the most scenic towns in Europe. As known for its appearances in the Game of the Thrones as it is for its varied, centuries-long history, the city’s beautiful old town, stunning views of the sea, and surrounding beaches make it one of the most popular travel destinations in the region.
• Split. Quite similar to Dubrovnik, but several times larger and busier, Split is Croatia’s largest coastal city and the seat of the historic Dalmatia region. While most travelers head straight for the beach (there are both popular beaches in the city and nice coastal spots north and south of the city), others take their time to explore the Roman emperor Diocletian’s palace and the 1,700-year-old St. Duje’s Cathedral. Split also offers access to many of Croatia’s picturesque Adriatic islands.
• Zagreb. Located in the inland part of the country, Croatia’s historic capital has a markedly different atmosphere than the coastal regions. Quite similar to the nearby capitals Vienna and Budapest, the city boasts a well-preserved old town and many architectural landmarks coupled with a busy and fun contemporary cultural scene.

Most popular hire car

The most popular hired car in Croatia is the Renault Clio, followed by the Volkswagen Up and the Kia Ceed. The most popular car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Driving licence requirements

• Croatia accepts all driver licenses issued in the European Union (EU).
• If your driver license is issued by a non-EU country, for it to be considered valid you’ll need a Croatian visa. Another requirement is to have been in the EU for no more than six months at the time of the rental. If you’ve been in the EU longer, you’ll need a driver license issued by an EU country.
• If your driver license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation of your license into English or Croatian.
• You must carry your driver license, not its copy, with you at all times.
• You need to have had your driver license for at least one or two years, depending on the car provider’s requirements.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

While a member state of the European Union (EU), Croatia is not a member of the Schengen Area. Croatia is bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Hungary and Slovenia are part of the Schengen Area. The other three countries are not and each of them have their own visa policy, so you may or may not be able to enter them, depending on your citizenship. If you plan to visit Croatia’s neighbor during your trip, we advise to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance to find out about the visa requirements.

Some car hire companies allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross a national border during your trip, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border car hire on our Help Center.

Toll roads

There’s a toll to be paid for using most Croatian motorways. There are two types of tolls in Croatia, the open ones and the closed ones. On open toll motorways, which are mostly tunnels, bridges, and short stretches of highway, the driver pays when arriving at the road. On closed toll motorways, the driver pays when arriving at the road and is given a receipt for their payment that shows where they entered the toll road. They then need to present the receipt when leaving the toll road. If you lose the receipt, you’ll need to once again for the maximum length of the toll road. If your receipt is more than 24 hours old (for example, because you stay for the night somewhere along the toll road), you’ll need to provide a valid explanation of the situation at the exit toll booth.

The payment for the toll road can be done either in cash or by credit card. You can also purchase a smart card or an expiring seasonal smart card that will include a 10% discount. Both types of smart cards are non-refundable. Some cars are equipped with an electronic toll responder the price of which is usually included in the rental price. Do ask your car hire company about it in advance. Find out more about the toll roads in Croatia on the European toll road website.

Top driving routes

• Istria. The large northwestern peninsula of Istria is actually shared by Croatia and two of its neighboring countries, Slovenia and Italy, although Croatia control’s the lion’s share of it. Nevertheless, the influence of its neighbors is strong — Italian remains both a co-official language and a source of many of the region’s unique traditions. Istria is also home to scenic coastal towns like Pula and Rovinj, a beautiful coastline, and plenty of Roman and Venetian sites.
• Slavonia. Croatia’s forested northeast offers a glimpse of a more traditional way of life. Remaining under the radar of most foreign travelers, it has a distinct off-the-beaten-track vibe, an effect that is enhanced by its unique traditional music and cuisine. Highlights of the region include the historic capital, Osijek, as well as the wetlands nature park of Kopački Rit.
• Plitvice Lakes. Made up of 16 beautiful lakes, as well as waterfalls, canyons, and mountain rivers, Plitvice is the most famous national park in Croatia. The area is a hotspot of flora and fauna that is home to such species as the European wildcat, European green lizard, alpine newt, and golden eagle. The national park is near the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina, about a two-hour drive south of Zagreb, two hours southeast of Rijeka, and 2 hours and 30 minutes northwest of Split.
• Islands of Dalmatia. The southern Croatian region of Dalmatia is home to a number of scenic islands that are collectively quickly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Characterised by idyllic beaches, but also well-preserved architecture, vineyards, and protected nature areas, islands like Hvar, Brač, and Šolta are a joy to explore. As mentioned above, Split can be used as a jump-off point for larger islands (which, in turn, have boats to some of the smaller and more isolated ones), though there are also ferries from coastal towns like Trogir and Makarska. Ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you to take a vehicle on a ferry — if not, you can travel without it, and then pick it up upon a return to the mainland.

Car hire prices in Croatia

• Small cars - starting at US$6 per day
• SUVs - starting at US$9 per day
• Medium cars - starting at US$8 per day
• Station wagons - starting at US$11 per day
• Large cars - starting at US$15 per day
• People Carriers - starting at US$51 per day
• Premium cars - starting at US$64 per day
• Convertibles - starting at US$58 per day

How can I save money on my hire car?

You can do a number of things to get a good car hire deal in Croatia:

• Compare rates
• Book your vehicle well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements